is-ought problem

noun

The problem of whether prescriptive statements, stating what the case ought to be, can be derived from descriptive statements—stating what the case is.

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Meanings

nounis–ought problem (plural is-ought problems)

plural is-ought problems · alternative is/ought problem

  1. The problem of whether prescriptive statements, stating what the case ought to be, can be derived from descriptive statements—stating what the case is.

Translations

Icelandic forskriftarvandinn
  • forskriftarvandinnthe problem of whether prescriptive statements (what ought to be) can be derived from descriptive statements
Cite this entry
APA

is-ought problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/is-ought%20problem

MLA

“is-ought problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/is-ought%20problem. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “is-ought problem,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/is-ought%20problem.

Source: is-ought problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.